Louw retains place on bench for Springboks

Francois Louw has been named on the bench once again for South Africa, as they prepare for their deciding Pool D clash against Samoa on Friday.

The side is captained by Victor Matfield, who returns from a hamstring strain – after a two-match absence – as one of seven changes to the team that defeated Namibia 87-0 at the same venue on Thursday.

He assumes the captaincy in place of John Smit, who drops to the bench, in a pre-planned move to allow Bismarck du Plessis to start his first match of the tournament.

The Springboks need at least one point from the match to be sure of qualifying for the quarterfinals.

There are five changes in the pack as Du Plessis is partnered with the returning Tendai Mtawarira and brother Jannie du Plessis in an all-Sharks front row. The final change among the forwards sees the return of Heinrich Brüssow to the back row.

Bakkies Botha was unavailable for selection after injuring a hamstring against Namibia but the remaining four forwards (Smit, CJ van der Linde, Gurthrö Steenkamp, Willem Alberts) all drop to the bench.

JP Pietersen and Fourie du Preez return to the starting line-up among the back division while the versatile Francois Hougaard drops to the bench where he is joined by the fit-again Jean de Villiers as the two backline replacements in a 5/2 split on the bench.

Friday's match kicks off at 20h30 (08h30 UK time).

South Africa v Samoa, 30 September 2011, North Harbour Stadium, Auckland

15 Pat Lambie KwaZulu-Natal

14 JP Pietersen KwaZulu-Natal

13 Jaque Fourie Western Province

12 Frans Steyn Racing Metro, France

11 Bryan Habana Western Province

10 Morné Steyn Blue Bulls

9 Fourie du Preez Blue Bulls

8 Pierre Spies Blue Bulls

7 Schalk Burger Western Province

6 Heinrich Brüssow Free State